Time seems to pass really fast, still remember the first day reporting to Ayer Rajah camp: It was raining heavily and most new privates were drenched in search for the correct entrance (amongst STK's and other camps') along Portsdown Rd. My first impression of the camp was, it's so poorly sheltered. (compared to BMTC) I guess most camps are like that anyway.
Can't forget the shock when I saw the huge workshop filled with all kinds of heavy vehicles, ranging from tonners to tractors to tanks/armoured veh (which took up majority of the space). There were gigantic recovery vehicles too, which seemed rather overwhelming to me at that time.
Passed out last week after 3 months of basic technician course, which I thought I could never survive till the end. It wasn't that difficult after all, just abt getting used to it over time. How I miss my instructors (esp our dear cool ah gong) and coursemates (ah-tan, ah-chua and the kay-siao, etc)... Really hope to continue staying in OETI, and sleeping in the locker room! Haha.
Posted to Sungei Gedong camp for my OJE (On-Job Experience) for the next 2 months. Famous for the most ulu camp in Singapore. Even the bus journey from the nearest mrt takes abt half an hour. Quite lucky that the only bus to the camp terminates near my place, able to reach home much earlier than the others. Can't imagine how those who live in the east or central spend almost 4 hours everyday travelling to and fro. Might as well stay in lol. Heard so much grievances abt the camp, but din expect myself to go there eventually.
When we arrived to the company line, it seemed like we had crossed the borders and entered the Malaysia slums. The noisy environment made us feel like being in a construction site and we are bangla workers. >_>
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday, September 11, 2006
Technology Idiot (2)
So disappointed with my test performance today, even though it was a short and simple one which does not require much thinking. It could be completed within minutes but I took almost an hour for the task, just becos of my inflexibility. Sometimes I can only see what is ahead of me and presume that's the only way things can be done, instead of thinking out of box and attempting alternative methods to approach the tasks. Really need to build up on my problem-solving skills. Took unnecessary time and dripped unnecessary sweat, giving others false impression that the task was physically demanding. >_>
Passing out from my technician course this thursday but I still feel that I have not acquired enough skills to work on my own. It's like tackling A lvls when I barely pass my O lvls. Can foresee lots of scoldings and reprimandings from the instructors in my new unit. Now I understand why ppl usually complain that OJE is much tougher, though more independence and flexibility are permitted.
The hardest part in working on my own is to troubleshoot and solve problems in the vehicles, esp when we are often not told what to repair or rectify instead just given the faults itself. Same goes for my com. Now that my bro is living in the campus and is only at home on the weekends, I can't wait for him to come home and fix my pc everytime there is a problem. Can't rely on my bro forever as a 'home technician', like one now. Want to learn technical basics abt the com, but dunno where to start from, haha. Maybe till an actual problem arises, hehe.
Where to get reliable computer parts and what kind or brand to get. That's another major consideration...hmmm.
Passing out from my technician course this thursday but I still feel that I have not acquired enough skills to work on my own. It's like tackling A lvls when I barely pass my O lvls. Can foresee lots of scoldings and reprimandings from the instructors in my new unit. Now I understand why ppl usually complain that OJE is much tougher, though more independence and flexibility are permitted.
The hardest part in working on my own is to troubleshoot and solve problems in the vehicles, esp when we are often not told what to repair or rectify instead just given the faults itself. Same goes for my com. Now that my bro is living in the campus and is only at home on the weekends, I can't wait for him to come home and fix my pc everytime there is a problem. Can't rely on my bro forever as a 'home technician', like one now. Want to learn technical basics abt the com, but dunno where to start from, haha. Maybe till an actual problem arises, hehe.
Where to get reliable computer parts and what kind or brand to get. That's another major consideration...hmmm.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Politics
A political war is evident between the 2 classes in my wing (platoon), which has been going on for months. Quite depressing that it has built up to such a state where ppl start complaining abt one class being dismissed earlier than the other. Being sandwiched between the 2 classes is not fun, haiz... I foresee this friday's wing cohesion to be more like a segregation instead.
Less than 2 weeks before I pass out. Hopefully the feuds will come to a close.
Less than 2 weeks before I pass out. Hopefully the feuds will come to a close.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Technology Idiot (1)
I feel like a technology idiot. Whenever I listen to conversations involving the latest technology, such as in handphones, mp3 players, computers, cameras, I would become very lost and had to assume that I knew what was discussed. Too embarrassed to admit that I was unaware of such technology.
With the latest hype abt Comex, much discussion abt IT spurred among my friends, which made me realise how ignorant, ill-informed and backward I am. Ppl were sharing abt what they had planned to buy in the fair, boasting certain products, leaving me bewildered as of what specs are considered good, and what corresponding prices are considered reasonable. Seriously, I dun even know how much a typical harddrive costs, nor how many megapixels a good afforable camera should have.
As for handphones, forget it. Some ppl know various phone models and the features on the tips of their fingers, while I can't even remember the model of my current hp lol. (my parents gave it to me) All I know is it can make calls and send smses. Personally I dun crave for technology in hps, like camera/video functions, mp3 storage, fm tuner, etc; all these are optional for me, cos I dun use them so often to appreciate their existence.
MP3 player...though I listen to music often, surprisingly I dun have the desire to own it at all. Probably lazy to find mp3, or find it a hassle to bring it around with me (and worry abt it being stolen/misplaced).
I've lost the interest to take photos anymore. Guys dun seem to have the enthusiasm to take photos as compared to girls. Lazy to upload pictures too. My ancient cpu casing still has USB ports at the back, which is so inaccessible. My camera should be lying somewhere in my home gathering dust, and how megapixels was it huh?
In such times I really have to start learning how to appreciate technology, otherwise I would be no different from my parents. >_<
With the latest hype abt Comex, much discussion abt IT spurred among my friends, which made me realise how ignorant, ill-informed and backward I am. Ppl were sharing abt what they had planned to buy in the fair, boasting certain products, leaving me bewildered as of what specs are considered good, and what corresponding prices are considered reasonable. Seriously, I dun even know how much a typical harddrive costs, nor how many megapixels a good afforable camera should have.
As for handphones, forget it. Some ppl know various phone models and the features on the tips of their fingers, while I can't even remember the model of my current hp lol. (my parents gave it to me) All I know is it can make calls and send smses. Personally I dun crave for technology in hps, like camera/video functions, mp3 storage, fm tuner, etc; all these are optional for me, cos I dun use them so often to appreciate their existence.
MP3 player...though I listen to music often, surprisingly I dun have the desire to own it at all. Probably lazy to find mp3, or find it a hassle to bring it around with me (and worry abt it being stolen/misplaced).
I've lost the interest to take photos anymore. Guys dun seem to have the enthusiasm to take photos as compared to girls. Lazy to upload pictures too. My ancient cpu casing still has USB ports at the back, which is so inaccessible. My camera should be lying somewhere in my home gathering dust, and how megapixels was it huh?
In such times I really have to start learning how to appreciate technology, otherwise I would be no different from my parents. >_<
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Screwed up match
Haven't played a soccer match for a very long time (since sec sch PE lessons), and yesterday's friendly match against another wing was a total disaster. Nothing goes right with me in the team. >_<
There was a run in the morning but most ppl claimed that they weren't feeling well, in order to avoid running and conserve energy for the afternoon match. The plan backfired as the instructor disallowed those who didn't run from playing in the match. He was just furious that most ppl rather skipped running for soccer and hence decided to implement this restriction as a punishment. Unfortunately most of the remaining ppl participating were clueless abt soccer like me, and dun have any enthusiasm to play. It was like losing half the match, with the sure-lose mentality of the team members.
Quite demoralising to see that all the opposing team members wore soccer shoes and were quite experienced soccer players, whereas our side is full of noobs wearing normal PT shoes. Only our senior instructor came down to support us while the rest of the wing were still doing their job in the workshop. I wouldn't want them to watch us noobs play anyway. On the other hand the opposing team had the whole wing present to cheer them, haiz.
I was positioned at the left-centre back, can't play any roles other than being a defender and my defending skills sucks. For the first half, we were thrashed badly 7-0, average abt 1 goal every 5 minutes haha. During half time we were even asked whether to concede the match or continue to play. Most of us had no morale and dun feel like playing anymore but since the instructors prefered a loss to a walkover, we proceeded on to the second half. This time we played slightly better but still a thrashing was inevitable. The game ended with 14-0, and we became a laughing stock in OETI, with our wing labelled as ppl who dun know how to play soccer. Laff lor...
Shall not talk much abt my performance...scored an own goal by accidentally deflecting the ball to the wrong direction, passed the ball to an opponent directly via a lousy weak kick. (that was my stupidest mistake made) Sustained a few head-on, arm-on, body-on hits by the ball, ouch! But managed to block the ball like this, haha. Thinking back, the way I played was really shitty.
Quite sad that those who can play soccer well did not have a chance to display their skills. Even our manager had medical leave on that day, zzz. It was a match that deserves to be forgotten...
There was a run in the morning but most ppl claimed that they weren't feeling well, in order to avoid running and conserve energy for the afternoon match. The plan backfired as the instructor disallowed those who didn't run from playing in the match. He was just furious that most ppl rather skipped running for soccer and hence decided to implement this restriction as a punishment. Unfortunately most of the remaining ppl participating were clueless abt soccer like me, and dun have any enthusiasm to play. It was like losing half the match, with the sure-lose mentality of the team members.
Quite demoralising to see that all the opposing team members wore soccer shoes and were quite experienced soccer players, whereas our side is full of noobs wearing normal PT shoes. Only our senior instructor came down to support us while the rest of the wing were still doing their job in the workshop. I wouldn't want them to watch us noobs play anyway. On the other hand the opposing team had the whole wing present to cheer them, haiz.
I was positioned at the left-centre back, can't play any roles other than being a defender and my defending skills sucks. For the first half, we were thrashed badly 7-0, average abt 1 goal every 5 minutes haha. During half time we were even asked whether to concede the match or continue to play. Most of us had no morale and dun feel like playing anymore but since the instructors prefered a loss to a walkover, we proceeded on to the second half. This time we played slightly better but still a thrashing was inevitable. The game ended with 14-0, and we became a laughing stock in OETI, with our wing labelled as ppl who dun know how to play soccer. Laff lor...
Shall not talk much abt my performance...scored an own goal by accidentally deflecting the ball to the wrong direction, passed the ball to an opponent directly via a lousy weak kick. (that was my stupidest mistake made) Sustained a few head-on, arm-on, body-on hits by the ball, ouch! But managed to block the ball like this, haha. Thinking back, the way I played was really shitty.
Quite sad that those who can play soccer well did not have a chance to display their skills. Even our manager had medical leave on that day, zzz. It was a match that deserves to be forgotten...
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Things to do before 20
Have lived in this world for almost 2 decades, want to accomplish certain things before reaching the age of 20. Attaining my driving license is one of the greatest achievement I've made this year. How do I make full use of the free time within mandatory national service to learn things I will probably require in the future but might not have the time to learn next time?
Still thinking how to plan my life. Sitting in front of my com whole day is not going to help.
Must we do everything for an ultimate purpose, or merely for temporary satisfaction? We know playing games, watching dramas, blogging, surfing forums, etc are not going to aid us in our future careers but why do ppl still do it in a regular basis as if they are so important? Are we wasting our youth doing unnecessary stuff?
We often complain what we learn in schools are not going to be applicable in our jobs next time. Does that mean surfing the net is going to be applicable then?
Still thinking how to plan my life. Sitting in front of my com whole day is not going to help.
Must we do everything for an ultimate purpose, or merely for temporary satisfaction? We know playing games, watching dramas, blogging, surfing forums, etc are not going to aid us in our future careers but why do ppl still do it in a regular basis as if they are so important? Are we wasting our youth doing unnecessary stuff?
We often complain what we learn in schools are not going to be applicable in our jobs next time. Does that mean surfing the net is going to be applicable then?
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Peng You
Both theory and practical tests finally over! Hope everything goes well. Realised that the army is so lax abt tests: those who had taken the test could even discuss with those who hadn't, and the instructors dun seem to care too >_>. Nvm, they wun want to fail us anyway.
Our nation's birthday is over too, can't wait for the next NDP to come! Heard that it will be held at Marina Bay, with spectator seats on floating platforms. The idea of having a celebration on water sounds so fun! (But it means some ppl are going to do more work...) The navy will be involved for the first time, heh heh.
Went to watch fireworks on fri, very nice! The last time I watched fireworks live was so long ago, can't even remember when...
So envious that some ppl can get a chance to meet up with their old friends through outings, painstakingly organised by someone who is willing to take initiative. Most of the time, it's not that the ppl have no time to meet, just that no one wants to take the initiative to organise. I could always organise one since I've more time compared to the others, but I'll only do that for my 'usual' group. (you know who) As for the rest, I dun even know how to approach them =( as I'm not very sociable with certain groups. No point organising an outing which you're not enthu abt. However I would gladly attend (provided I've the time) if someone else were to organise one, which is the case for most ppl too.
Thus ppl are waiting for each other to organise, then in the end, no one organises lol.
So true for me, esp with my JC classmates. Haven't met up with them since the A lvl results day. Even the most enthu person in my class dun bother to organise, this tells a lot abt the class unity. This is one thing I really dislike during my JC days. (nvm shall not talk abt that further) Hmm, I remember there was one being organised, on a sunday night. Bad timing, and so the plan fell out. Haiz...
Not very close to my CCA friends, so it's not surprising that I've never been invited to any of their outings lol.
As for my BMT bunkmates, I kind of miss them. They remind me of the times when we went through thick and thin together during the 'tough' training. Sadly the last time I saw them is on POC. There was a birthday party held during block leave but I couldn't attend due to fever (so suay). Apparently there was another outing not long ago, either it was cancelled last minute or I wasn't invited. Nobody told me a thing...
Feel so lucky to have met more ppl of the same frequency in my current platoon. Able to get along with them quite well, but I was transferred to a different class (different vehicle) in the final arrangement and now I'm separated from them, haiz. Not only we dun get to meet so often, we are going to different units (probably different camps as well) next time. So it's an early goodbye that I wun get to work with them in the future. Why is it so unfair?? =( Why separate us when things are starting to look good???
Shall not whine so much, after all it's partly my fault that I'm not sociable enough to make long-lasting friends. Will cherish the friends I have now, since I'll never know if I can meet them again after we separate.
We meet so many friends during different phases of our lives, how do we know which ones are going to be lifelong? (or at least able to last several years) How to ensure close contact even after separation? Sigh...
Our nation's birthday is over too, can't wait for the next NDP to come! Heard that it will be held at Marina Bay, with spectator seats on floating platforms. The idea of having a celebration on water sounds so fun! (But it means some ppl are going to do more work...) The navy will be involved for the first time, heh heh.
Went to watch fireworks on fri, very nice! The last time I watched fireworks live was so long ago, can't even remember when...
So envious that some ppl can get a chance to meet up with their old friends through outings, painstakingly organised by someone who is willing to take initiative. Most of the time, it's not that the ppl have no time to meet, just that no one wants to take the initiative to organise. I could always organise one since I've more time compared to the others, but I'll only do that for my 'usual' group. (you know who) As for the rest, I dun even know how to approach them =( as I'm not very sociable with certain groups. No point organising an outing which you're not enthu abt. However I would gladly attend (provided I've the time) if someone else were to organise one, which is the case for most ppl too.
Thus ppl are waiting for each other to organise, then in the end, no one organises lol.
So true for me, esp with my JC classmates. Haven't met up with them since the A lvl results day. Even the most enthu person in my class dun bother to organise, this tells a lot abt the class unity. This is one thing I really dislike during my JC days. (nvm shall not talk abt that further) Hmm, I remember there was one being organised, on a sunday night. Bad timing, and so the plan fell out. Haiz...
Not very close to my CCA friends, so it's not surprising that I've never been invited to any of their outings lol.
As for my BMT bunkmates, I kind of miss them. They remind me of the times when we went through thick and thin together during the 'tough' training. Sadly the last time I saw them is on POC. There was a birthday party held during block leave but I couldn't attend due to fever (so suay). Apparently there was another outing not long ago, either it was cancelled last minute or I wasn't invited. Nobody told me a thing...
Feel so lucky to have met more ppl of the same frequency in my current platoon. Able to get along with them quite well, but I was transferred to a different class (different vehicle) in the final arrangement and now I'm separated from them, haiz. Not only we dun get to meet so often, we are going to different units (probably different camps as well) next time. So it's an early goodbye that I wun get to work with them in the future. Why is it so unfair?? =( Why separate us when things are starting to look good???
Shall not whine so much, after all it's partly my fault that I'm not sociable enough to make long-lasting friends. Will cherish the friends I have now, since I'll never know if I can meet them again after we separate.
We meet so many friends during different phases of our lives, how do we know which ones are going to be lifelong? (or at least able to last several years) How to ensure close contact even after separation? Sigh...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)